Bedding the Bachelors Box Set (Books 1-3) (60 page)

On her way back to the bedroom, she saw several open boxes on the dining room table, fancy boxes, with tissue paper. Slowly, she walked up to the table and peered inside.

They contained outfits. Female outfits, shoes and all.

She prodded around, noting one box held capris and a tank, one a blouse and skirt, and one a wrap-dress. They just happened to be in her size.

None of the outfits were what she’d normally wear, but they were pretty. Expensive.

“I hope you don’t mind.” Jamie’s voice came from behind her. “I figured you’d want to wear something fresh this morning. I picked up some things from the boutique downstairs and had your clothes sent to be laundered.”

She opened her mouth to chastise him for…what? Trying to control her again by having her wear what he considered to be appropriate? She caught sight of one of the price tags. Or for his extravagance in dropping money on three outfits so easily? On some level, however, she knew her emotions were raging out of control, so she took a deep breath and clamped down on them as she turned to face him.

“Where’d you come from?” she asked, forcing herself to switch the subject.

“I was enjoying a cup of coffee and the view out on the balcony.”

She wondered if that view could even begin to compare to the one she was looking at now. He was dressed casually in a polo shit, but Lord, what his broad chest and strong biceps did for that shirt was beyond glorious. And the way his faded jeans lovingly cupped the bulge between his legs… She had to curl her fingers into her palms to stop herself from reaching for him.

He was magnificent. And by the look of worry on his face, he was obviously afraid she was going to take his gesture with the clothes and throw it in his face.

So no…she wasn’t going to chastise him and possibly ruin the memory of their splendid night together. She didn’t want to be part of the world he was born into; that didn’t mean she couldn’t accept a generous gift from him. She’d buy him dinner, she decided. And send him a gift in return once she got home.

She grabbed the box with the capris, tank top, and jeweled flip-flops.

“Thank you, Jamie. That was very thoughtful of you.”

He grinned. “I’m sorry I forgot the champagne last night. I can have breakfast brought up but I wasn’t sure what you wanted. I’m normally partial to pancakes myself, but I hear they do a mean eggs Benedict here.”

“Sounds great! I’ll have them charge it to my room.”

He frowned, but before he could refuse her offer to pay, she said, “I’ll just shower and change. Do you mind if I make a call before breakfast?”

“Of course not.” He looked curious, but had enough manners not to ask any questions.

She hesitated, then said, “I want to check on Milly.”

“Your sister’s daughter?”

Lucy nodded. “Yes. I—I’ve called every few days to check in on her. And I’m hoping that Mason’s sister will agree to let me visit her soon. Even if I don’t have a relationship with my mother and father...well…”

“So you have no plans to mend your relationship with your parents?”

Now it was her turn to frown. “It isn’t a matter of wanting anything. Our relationship was damaged beyond repair over a decade ago. It was clear at both the hospital and the funeral that Gail’s death hasn’t changed that.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you with my question. It’s just…it’s obvious you care about Milly. With Gail gone…” He shook his head and waved a hand. “Never mind. If you ever want to share your feelings about your family, Lucy, I’m here. Last night doesn’t change anything. I’m still your friend.”

“Thanks, Jamie,” she said quietly. “I appreciate that.”

She quickly showered and dressed, then used the phone in the bedroom to call Mason’s sister, Diana, who had custody of Milly. The several times they’d spoken, Diana had been cool but polite, and Lucy had been grateful for that. She suspected if Milly had been staying with her grandparents, she wouldn’t have been so lucky; after all, Lucy knew firsthand the low opinion Mason’s father had of her. It was possible Diana felt the same way, but she’d never treated Lucy with anything but civility.

The call went straight to voicemail, so she left a message, asking Diana to call her as soon as she had a chance. Then she went out into the living area, where Jamie was enjoying a cup of coffee. For a few seconds, she stared at him, awestruck again by his sheer beauty.

“Why are looking at me like that? You want me again already, don’t you?”

Lucy giggled and said, “It’s hard not to want you when you look like that.”

Jamie put down his coffee, walked up to her, set his hands on her waist, and pulled her against him. “Well, I know I said one night together, but what I really meant was last night and this morning until we both have to leave…” He kissed her, deeply and passionately, clearly with the intent of appeasing a different kind of hunger before breakfast came.

But then Lucy’s phone rang.

Lucy broke the kiss and Jamie groaned. “Don’t answer it. That’s what voicemail is for.”

“I just left a message asking about the baby. If I don’t take this call, they might not call back.”

He leaned his forehead against hers, took a deep breath, then slowly let her go.

She brought the phone to her ear. “Hello?”

“Hello, is this Ms. Lucy Conrad?” a smooth, male voice asked.

Great, I made Jamie stop kissing me for a telemarketer,
she thought.

“Yes, but if you’re selling something…”

“No, Ms. Conrad, I’m not a salesman. I’m an attorney.”

“An attorney?” she repeated. Her gaze met Jamie’s.

“Yes. Daniel Cummings. I’m calling on behalf of Diana Lancaster Norton. She said you just left her a message and she’d prefer you not contact her directly any longer.”

“I was contacting her about Milly,” she explained. “My niece.”

“I’m aware of who Milly is, Ms. Conrad. But given the circumstances, it really is best if you work through your attorney where Milly is concerned.”

“Circumstances? I don’t understand.”

Her answer was met with brief silence. “Ms. Conrad, have you talked to your parents since yesterday?”

“No, I haven’t. I don’t speak with my parents, Mr. Cummings.”

“Oh, dear.” He took an audible breath. “Well, they gave me your home number and I left a message there. I didn’t have your cell phone number until Diana gave it to me just now.”

“My father had my cell phone number,” she said.

Mr. Cummings cleared his throat. “I see. Well, anyway, your sister Gail and her husband named you legal guardian of Milly should something happen to one of them.”

“Wh—what?” Lucy breathed.

She felt Jamie’s hand on her shoulder and experienced a sense of déjà vu. He’d done the same thing back in California, when she’d first gotten the phone call about Gail’s accident. He’d unhesitatingly stood beside her and offered her comfort. And just like then, she took it, leaning her weight into his.

She couldn’t believe it. Gail and Mason had named her guardian of their baby?

“You can reject guardianship, of course, but I drew up the paperwork with your sister myself. She wanted you to raise Camilla in the event that they couldn’t.”

Lucy’s head was spinning. Her…raise a kid? Had her sister and Mason lost their minds before the accident? She couldn’t imagine what they’d been thinking….

But of course she didn’t say any of that to the lawyer.

Instead she said, “No. No, of course I’m not rejecting guardianship.” At least not yet, she thought. Maybe not ever. But she needed time to think. What did she know about raising a child? “Mr. Cummings, this has come as a shock. I need—need some time to think.”

“Of course. I assumed you had an attorney of your own, but if you don’t, as your sister’s representative, I’ll be happy to help you. Your sister was adamant that she wanted Milly with you. Unfortunately though, there is an issue….”

She waited a beat and then, afraid that she already knew the answer, she asked, “What’s the issue?”

“Jerry and Evelyn Lancaster, Mason’s parents, as well as Mason’s sister, Diana, are contesting you being named guardian. They’ve already filed a motion with the court asking that custody of Milly remain with Mason’s sister. I can fax you a copy of the complaint if you’d like.”

“Can you email it to me?”

“Yes, I can do that.”

She gave him her email address, then said, “Thank you. Can I ask you a few things before you hang up?”

“Of course.”

“Did my sister say why she wanted me to have the baby?”

“She said she wanted Milly raised by someone who’d teach her to appreciate both the big things and the small things in life. She wanted Milly to be able to love herself no matter what others thought or said or did. And she said you were a master at that, Miss Conrad.”

Lucy felt herself choking up and her thoughts felt clouded. Gail, the big sister who had once been her best friend, the woman who’d died without knowing how much Lucy still loved her, wanted her to raise Milly. But…

“My next question is on what grounds Mason’s family is contesting guardianship? Do they believe Gail was incompetent when she made the decision? Or that Mason didn’t agree to it?”

“No, they’re not contesting on any of those grounds. Mason didn’t like the idea at first, but he ultimately agreed and signed the paperwork in my presence.”

“Then what?”

“They believe you’d be an unfit mother, Ms. Conrad. The specifics will be in the paperwork I’ll email you. After that, if you’d like to meet…”

Lucy listened to the rest of Mr. Cummings spiel but the words seemed to be coming from underwater. All the words, that is, except, “unfit mother,” which echoed loud and clear inside her head.

***

When Lucy got off the phone, Jamie put his arm around her and she laid her head on his shoulder. He got the feeling she was trying really hard not to cry. He didn’t ask her any questions, just quietly held her until he felt her body stop shaking. Only then did he ask, “Do you want to talk about it?”

Lucy sighed deeply and said, “My sister left custody of her baby to me.”

He’d figured as much, and he hoped he’d managed to hide his surprise. It wasn’t that he didn’t think she would be a wonderful mother, but from what little she’d told him about her family, it really shocked him her sister would.

“How do you feel about that?” he said.

“I—I don’t know,” she whispered. “I mean, two weeks ago I didn’t even know Milly existed. I’ve only ‘talked’ to her a few times on the phone and I haven’t even seen her yet, but my first instinct is…”

“What?”

“She’s Gail’s child. I know I’m not going to be anyone’s first choice for mother of the year, but if Gail trusted me to care for Milly, well…I want to do my very best for her.”

Jamie smiled and kissed her temple. “You know what? I think she made a great decision, and I think Milly’s a lucky little girl to have you.”

She pulled away from him. “You didn’t let me finish. I’m not sure
me
having custody is the best things for her.”

“That’s ridiculous, Lucy. You’d make a great mother.”

She barked out a laugh. “Right. Me and all my maternal instincts. How do you figure?”

He tipped his head to the side and brought a hand up to trace a line along her jaw. “You’re fun. Energetic. A strong role model. Ethical. Courageous. Everything a child could learn from, especially in this day and age.”

For a moment, she allowed her eyes to flutter closed. To lean her cheek into his palm. Then she opened her eyes, pulled away, and focused on a lamp in the corner of the room. She shook her head, giving him a sad smile. “Thanks for that vote of confidence, but there are those who don’t agree with you.”

“Right,” he said, remembering more of the conversation he’d overheard. “Mason’s family is contesting it?”

She nodded.

“Why?” he asked. “It’s what their son and daughter-in-law wanted.”

She toyed with a wrinkle on the duvet. “That still surprises me. A lot. And given the fact my father has my cell phone number and didn’t call me after the lawyer spoke with him, I won’t be surprised if my own parents contest Gail’s decisions, as well.”

Silence followed, then a quiet, “The reason you’re estranged from them…It’s about more than you not wanting to conform to their expectations, isn’t it?”

She nodded.

“Tell me.”

“I
was
the black sheep and I could never do anything right. Our family was new to the world of wealth. We weren’t like you Whitcombs, with generations and generations of money and power and prestige behind you. Nope, my dad made a fortune early on selling stocks, and made sure everyone knew we had money. And that everyone knew we had a ‘place’ in society. Even if we didn’t.”

“Sounds like your dad has issues.”

“Yeah, that about sums it up. But Gail and I had to be ambassadors for our family. We had to play the part. Act the role. Be ladies. Gail got an A+. I failed. But it wasn’t just Dad who was disappointed in me.”

When she hesitated going further, Jamie caught her hand, which was still playing with the fold in the duvet, and entwined his fingers with hers.

“I used to date Mason.”

“Wait…your brother-in-law?”

She nodded. “He was the first guy I slept with. I thought we were going to get married. But then I overheard our dads talking to him, encouraging him to break up with me. Encouraging him to date Gail, who’d be better suited for him. When he broke up with me, he said I didn’t fit the image of someone he’d need by his side when he took the political world by storm. He said—he said I
embarrassed
him. Just like I embarrassed my dad.”

Her voice quavered and Jamie mentally cursed, knowing how difficult it was for her to admit this all to him. Damn her father and ex-boyfriend for making her doubt her own worth.

Jamie took a deep breath and chose his words carefully. “I hate to speak ill of the dead, but he didn’t deserve you, Luce.”

“I know that, but I loved him. I thought he accepted me, and to know my own father and my sister thought so little of me…Cared so little of my feelings…Well, obviously fifteen years later I still wasn’t over it. With Gail gone, it seems so stupid now. I know that. But I can’t change the past.”